Hand-rest



(No Model.)

M. L. BROWN.

HAND REST.

No. 389,053. Patented Sept. 4, 1888.

A? jkfv 7' f f I A" Q 17 kb gu nea ica UNITED STATES PATENT Fries.

MARTIN LUTHER BROWN, OF REINHARDT, TEXAS.

HAN D-REST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 389,053, dated Saeptember 4, 1888.

Application filed April 30, 1888.

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it k nown that I, ll IARTIN LUTHER BROWN a citizen of the United States, residing at Reinhardt, in the county of Dallas and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Im-' provement in Hand-Rests, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in handrests; and it consists in certain novel features, hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved device, showing the manner of using the same. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same, and Fig. 3is a detail edge view of the finger-supporting strap.

In carrying out my invention I employ a standard, A, of metal or other suitable material of proper height and of a small diameter. The lower end of the standard is provided with the screwthreads B, and j ust above the screw-threads the standard is provided with an integral annular flange or disk, 0, as shown. By this construction I am enabled to secure the standard in the desk at any desired point, the screw-threads serving to engage the wood work of the desk and thereby firmly secure the standard in position, while the annular flange or disk serves to limit the extent to which the standard may be driven into the desk, and also serves to make aneat finish where the standard enters the desk, as will be readily understood on reference to Fig. 1.

D designates a sliding bracket mounted on the standard and adjustable vertically upon the same. This bracket consists of the main vertical portion E and the horizontal arms F F, formed integral therewith and projecting from the ends of the same. These arms F F are provided near their inner ends with the openings or perforationsG G in vertical alignment, by means of which it is mounted on the standard and permitted to slide thereon. Near their outer ends these arms are provided with the smaller openings H H in vertical alignment, which form bearings for the swinging bar or arm I. A set-screw, J, is mounted in the vertical portion of the bracket, and bears against the standard to clamp the bracket thereon at any desired point.

The swinging arm or lover I consists of a light rod having one end bent downward to Serial No. 272,271. (No model.)

form the journal or pivot K,which is inserted. downward through the bearings H H to sup port the said arm or lever and allow it to swing freely. An annular stop or shoulder,

L, is formed on this journal or pivot and adapted to contact with the upper arm of the bracket to prevent the journal or pivot passing too far downward through the same. The outer end of the swinging arm or lever is bent downward a short distance, as at M, and be tween this portion Maud the upper end of the journal or pivot extends a small guide Wire or rail, N,thc said guide wire or rail be ing somewhat elastic, so as to aid in furnishing a free support for the hand.

O designates the hand-support consisting of an elastic strap, 1?, a roller, Q, at the upper end of the strap moving over the guide wire or rail N, and the finger receivcr R at the lower end of the strap. This elastic strap is shown in the drawings as being made ofa rubber band; but it will be readily understood that a coiled spring could be used instead. The rollerQ, is journaled between the upper ends of two metallic plates, S, which pass downward on opposite sides of the guide rail or wire, and have their lower ends secured to the upper end of the strap. The said roller has a grooved periphery, so as to ride firmly over the guide wire or rail and not slip therefrom. The fingar-receiver consists of two U-shaped plates, T T, secured to the lower end of the elastic strap on opposite sides of the same.

In practice the standard is secured in the desk at the proper point, usually in one corner, and the bracketadjusted so as to support the swinging arm at the desired height. The first and second fingers of the hand are then placed in the finger-receiver, the strap passing upward between the fingers. The pen is then grasped in the proper manner, and the hand will be supported in proper position for writing.

It will be observed that my device is very simple in its construction and is free of complicated arrangements of its parts, so that it can be easily and cheaply manufactured. The swinging arm or lever swings from side to side as the hand moves from end to end of the lines, and the hand-support moves over the guiderail as the hand passes from the top to the LCD page. It will thus be seen that the hand is freely supported in proper position for writ: ing at all times and is prevented from becoming fatigued.

My device is intended especially for use in teaching children the proper position of the hand and pen; but it will be found of great benefit to telegraph-operators, book-keepers, 850.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. A hand-rest comprising a standard, a horizontally-swinging arm or lever supported by said standard, and a hand-support carried by said swinging lever, as set forth.

2. A hand-rest comprising a standard, a horizontally-swinging arm or lever supported by said standard and adjustable vertically thereon, and a handsupport carried by said swinging lever, as set forth.

3. A hand -rest comprising a standard, a horizontally-swinging arm or lever mounted on said standard, and a hand-support carried by said swinging lever and traveling longitudinally thereon, as set forth.

4. In a hand-rest, the combination of the standard having screw-threads at. its lower end and an annular flange or disk above said screw-threads, the swinging lever supported by said standard, and a hand-support carried by said lever, as set forth.

5. The combination of the standard, the bracket adj ustably mounted thereon, the swinging lever journaled in said bracket, and the hand-support carried by said swinging lever, as set forth.

6. The combination of the standard, the bracket mounted thereon and having horizon tal arms, the set-screw mounted in the bracket 8. The combination of the standard, the

swinging lever supported by said standard, the guide wire or rail secured to said lever, and the hand-support traveling on said rail, as set forth.

9. The combination of the standard, the swinging lever supported thereby, and the hand-support carried by said lever and comprising an elastic strap and a finger-receiver secured to the lower end of the same, as set forth.

10. The combination of the standard, the lever supported thereby and provided with a guide wire or rail, and the hand support comprising a roller mounted on said rail, an elastic strap depending from the roller,and a finger-receiver secured to the lower end of the strap, as set forth.

11. The combination ofa standard, a horizontally-swinging lever mounted thereon, and a yielding hand-support depending from said lever, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MARTIN LUTHER BROWN.

Witnesses:

H. L. HANBY, D. J. BROWN. 

